On Facebook

Chapter 531The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.2God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.3Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.4Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.5There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.6Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

Chapter 541Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.2Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.3For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.4Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.5He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth.6I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good.7For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.

Chapter 551Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.2Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;3Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.4My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.5Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.6And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.7Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.

Ecclesiastes is a book of the Hebrew Bible. The English name derives from the Greek translation of the Hebrew title.The main speaker in the book, identified by the name or title Qohelet, introduces himself as "son of David, and king in Jerusalem." The work consists of personal or autobiographic matter, at times expressed in aphorisms and maxims illuminated in terse paragraphs with reflections on the meaning of life and the best way of life. The work emphatically proclaims all the actions of man to be inherently "vain", "futile", "empty", "meaningless", "temporary", "transitory", or "fleeting," depending on translation, as the lives of both wise and foolish men end in death. While Qohelet clearly endorses wisdom as a means for a well-lived earthly life, he is unable to ascribe eternal meaning to it. In light of this perceived senselessness, he suggests that one should enjoy the simple pleasures of daily life, such as eating, drinking, and taking enjoyment in one's work, which are gifts from the hand of God.